Escalante: Day 1

We got started today for our big adventure down to Escalante for our backpacking trip. I don't know how I agreed to do this, since I haven't gone backpacking since I was a scout and I am considered larger and out of shape! We left SLC with 6 leaders and 6 boys - a pretty good ratio! The drive took us about 5 hours, with the necessary pit stops along the way. I was glad to run into a Subway so I could get some lunch.

Once we found a campsite, we were off for our first hike of the trip. We went to find Upper Calf Creek Falls. It wasn't a bad hike, about 1 mile round trip across some cool slick rock. Of course who could resist the chance to hop into the falls once you'd made the journey. I don't believe anyone who says you adjust the longer you're in cold water. You don't adjust, you get numb! I have never been so glad to get a picture and get out of the water!

After we got back from the Falls, one of the leaders was feeling pretty crummy. He had all the signs of heat stroke, so we put his feet up and gave him plenty of fluids. It didn't seem to be working very well, so Don suggested we give him a blessing. One problem, I thought I had packed everything we needed for the trip. Socks, mess kit, stove, jerky - I forgot to pack consecrated oil. How stupid can you be?! Well, I guess I wasn't the only one, since no one else had their oil with them either. After searching high and low the only thing we could come up with was a packet of olive oil from Subway. Let's just say I know it won't make any commercials, but I've never been so glad we stopped at Subway earlier that day. We consecrated the oil and administered to our exhausted leader. What a day!

Just Call Me Jared

Over the past couple of weeks we've had a big debate at work over a very sensitive topic - email addresses. For 3 years my email has been jcovili@media.utah.edu, a very serviceable address indeed. However, most people cannot spell my last name. I've seen variations such as Coveli, Covelli, Covilli, Covolli, Colaveli, and so on. Not many have mastered the subtle nuance of Covili, so I wanted to change my address to use my first name. Hence the debate - is it professional to use your first name in a business email address? Contact me at jared@uen.org and I'll tell you how I feel about the subject.

Summer Fun?

About a month ago we designed our summer postcard at work. As you can see we determined that we wanted teachers to take advantage of their summer break and take our classes. I am realizing that the teachers are the only ones taking a break this summer. I've been driving down to American Fork all week to teach some classes. It doesn't seem like it should be that big a deal to drive 30 miles, but this week has felt like an eternity! To get to and from work I have braved traffic jams, dust storms, anxious highway patrolmen in Lehi, and BAD UTAH DRIVERS!!! Still, I managed to get home every afternoon so I could spend about 5 minutes eating dinner before having to leave for the night. Everyday it's been something different: Rec ball on Monday, Softball on Tuesday, Bishopric last night. It never ends. I think that Tara is going to put my picture on a milk carton so that she'll be able to find me.

A Restful Sabbath

Today's session of church began like almost every other for the past year and a half. We struggle to get to church on time and Kennedy is anxious to run around in Priesthood or Relief Society. I think we've been the cause of numerous interrupted lessons over the past year or so. Oh sure, everyone around us says that they love to hear Kennedy run and talk during the classes. However, the secret voodoo stares they shoot back at us when no one appears to be looking say otherwise.

Well today changed all of that. Kennedy went to Nursery for the first time today. We've been counting the Sundays until she was 18 months old for weeks, but today everyone involved finally agreed that this was her moment. It was as if Tara and I didn't even exist! She quickly got involved in their activities (perhaps because they were going for a walk outside) and that was it. She was happy for the next two hours, we were happy for the next two hours, and the voodoo stares ceased. I forgot how much you can learn if you can actually listen to the instructors! It was amazing. Tara and I looked at each other after Sunday School was over and reveled in quiet disbelief. Who cares that Kennedy went crazy during Sacrament Meeting and spent the entire meeting in the foyer. For 2 of the 3 meetings today, we actually attended Church. Thank you Nursery - see you next week!

The 15th Round

Kennedy encountered the daycare bully on Wednesday and let's just say you don't want to see what happened to Joshua!! Actually, the truth of the matter was: Kennedy was running, Joshua was running and ever the two shall meet, head to head. Her eye looked a lot worse right after they "bonked" heads, but we think she still looks pretty tough!